Cougars at the Capitol: SIUE Students Spend a Day in Springfield
On Feb. 25, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students partnered with Southern Illinois University Carbondale students for an annual student-led lobby day at the Capitol building in Springfield. Students had the opportunity to connect with the legislators, express their appreciation for highlighting the importance and impact of the SIU campuses and further request their continued support and advocacy on behalf of the University.
Cougars at the Capitol kicked off with Edwardsville students gathering for breakfast organized by Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, at the Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub, following a bus journey to the Capitol. “I feel so excited. I can’t wait to make legislators aware of how exceptional SIUE is,” said Chloe Leblanc, a political science major and intern with SUAA.
SIU System President Dan Mahony, PhD, welcomed participants to the SIU System office in Springfield before their Capitol walk. “We regularly talk about our priorities and why the legislators’ support for the universities is indispensable, but it carries far more resonance when it comes from students. They genuinely want to hear from you. You’re the voters today and will remain engaged,” Mahony told the group.
Mahony also lauded the robust turnout from SIUE in recent years, on how Cougars at the Capitol has matured into a growing tradition, marked by increasing participation.
SIU System Executive Director for Governmental Relations John Charles briefed the students about a number of legislative procedures, including an overview of the Illinois equitable funding formula for public universities. He also encouraged the students to consider the Illinois Legislative Staff Internship Program—a 10-month paid internship at the state capital that often leads to public service or law careers.
“That’s how I started. Many SIUE and SIUC alumni have started in this program and now hold leadership roles in legislative policy and budget offices,” Charles stated.
The cohort was accompanied by fellow School of Pharmacy and School of Nursing students who had all gathered in the Capitol for their annual Pharmacy Lobby Day and the Nurse Anesthetists Lobby Day.
SIUC student Christian Duval, an aviation flight and management major, shared his excitement. “It’s great to network and visit the Capitol with SIUE students who’re basically like our cousins. Meeting the legislators helps me humanize them, reminding us that lawmakers are regular people like us.”
A group of student constituents had the chance to meet with State Senator Terri Bryant of the 58th district and discuss her experiences in navigating the state’s past budget discussions, ensuring universities remain financially stable. “Sometimes, people aren’t really aware of what's going on. But you can watch us doing committees, doing our work out there, and you can always get it on ILGA.gov,” she noted.
State Rep. Katie Stuart of the 112th district, representative of Edwardsville, acknowledged the SIU students visiting the Capitol by offering a public greeting with her time on the floor.
Yasmine Bryant and Keiala White, political science majors, shared that “the entire experience was an exciting opportunity to observe how legislators operate,” noting that interacting directly with the lawmakers inspired their own interest in public service.
Photos by Howard Ash
